30 homes, 60 sites damaged
BY RACHEL DOVE
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — As FEMA representatives continue to tour portions of Martin County and assess damage to both private property and public infrastructure, the cost of repairs for those affected by the flash flooding that began July 26 is steadily climbing and the deadline to apply for assistance fast approaching.
Although the county thankfully avoided the worst of the flooding that devastated portions of Eastern Kentucky, there are approximately 61 sites, including 30 homes/properties that were either damaged by the floodwaters or by water run-off from hillsides and mud and rockslides caused by the downpours.
Martin County Judge-Executive Colby Kirk said about 30 homeowners have applied for individual assistance through FEMA, as well as seven businesses that were affected during the flood event. With a deadline of Aug. 28 less than two weeks away, Kirk emphasizes the need to register and begin the claim for assistance.
According to Kirk, some of the worst hit areas in the county include Rockhouse, Turkey Hill, Spruce Pine Road, Big Mud Lick, Little Mud Lick, Calf Creek, Meathouse, Wickerfield Road and other locations in Inez.
“If you see Spruce Pine Road the way it is today, you wouldn’t begin to believe that we just asphalted that road last year,” said the judge. “The asphalt washed down the creek and left nothing but dirt and mud behind. It’s completely gone.”
Kirk said the county incurred about $906,000 in damage to public roads, bridges, drainpipes and other infrastructure. That is nearly double what the county believed it was facing just two weeks ago.
The judge encourages homeowners affected by the flood who have not initiated claims with FEMA and need guidance on how to begin the process to contact his office at 606-298-2800 or the Emergency Management office at 606-298-2088.
“We can’t do the claim for them because the applicant is required to furnish personal information, but we can assist them in starting the process,” said Kirk. “We will also have a mobile Disaster Recovery Center FEMA unit set up in the business center parking lot Aug. 18-20 and the 25-27 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. to assist anyone that needs to apply or to appeal a claim that may have initially been rejected.”
The judge emphasizes the importance of filing an appeal if an applicant receives a rejection letter, explaining that the claim may have been rejected for a reason that is easily corrected such as a missing social security number or a signature in the wrong location.
“I’ve seen it happen time and time again, and it’s very important that you don’t just read the word ‘rejected’ and think it’s over and that’s the end of it because it’s not,” said Kirk. “I encourage anyone who may find themselves in this situation to appeal, appeal and appeal again. Don’t give up.”
If you need to visit the FEMA mobile unit to speak with a representative to file a claim or an appeal, you will need to bring photos of the damage that occurred to your home/property, as well as any receipts you have that prove you have already made purchases to clean, repair or replace what was damaged. You also must provide a valid photo I.D. and social security number for the adult filing the claim and proof of residence (address).
“We have a long cleanup and repair process in front of us,” said Kirk. “It’s not going to be a quick fix, that’s for sure. Our main concern is making sure everyone that was affected by the flooding applies for assistance and gets the help they deserve. Once we receive confirmation on whether we are approved for public assistance we will begin the road repairs.”